Method, apparatus and systems for tracking freight

ABSTRACT

Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for tracking freight. Embodiments include a tracking device for a trailer containing a load. The tracking device includes a support member, a connector, a housing and a GPS tracker configured to track the location of the load. The connector securely attaches to a container on the trailer and attaches to a seal such that the container cannot be opened without breaking the seal. The support member stabilizes the housing and protects the tracking device during transit of the load. A tracking system may implement to monitor, gather information and report on the tracking device and the load.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/064,331 filed on Oct. 15, 2014, the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to methods, apparatuses, and systems forthe tracking of freight, and in particular though non-limitingembodiments, to methods, apparatus, and systems for tracking sealedtrucks and containers by global position systems (“GPS”) via wirelesscommunication.

BACKGROUND

GPS systems and mobile tracking applications are used to track freightin the transportation industry. Many existing systems, however, areprone to error for various reasons. Common problems include: durabilityand operability under adverse conditions; functionality in directlytracking a container containing cargo; and security. Regardingdurability and operability, existing systems have typically not includedhousings capable of withstanding the swaying, bumps, wind, weather andother adverse conditions often encountered during truck transport.Regarding functionality, existing systems may provide incorrectinformation as to location of the actual load being transported becausethey are connected to the tractor and/or driver and are not connected tothe actual container housing the cargo. Indeed, it is not uncommon forexisting systems to be hardwired to freight hauling tractors and/orlinked to a driver's cell phone. Regarding security, existing systemsmay be tampered with and are typically not integrated with existingsecurity systems for the container housing the cargo.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention address the problems describedabove with respect to existing GPS receiver systems and mobile trackingapplications that have been used to track freight in the transportationindustry. Indeed, the present invention provides for new and improvedmethods, apparatuses and systems for tracking freight.

In an example embodiment of the present invention a system is providedthat includes a removable tracking device; a seal; and a container. Thetracking device is integrated with and/or securely attached to the sealand/or the container such that the container cannot be accessed withoutbreaking the seal.

In another example embodiment of the present invention, a system forbroker trucking is provided that includes at least one containerincluding a load, a removable tracking device configured to continuouslytransmit a location of the container, the container sealed with a sealto prevent access to the load and tracking device without breaking theseal; a computer configured to continuously receive the location of thecontainer from the respective removable tracking device; and a userinterface configured to display the transmitted location of the at leastone container as received by the computer to an administrator.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of brokertrucking is provided that includes the following steps: obtaining atracking device and a bill of lading for a load; loading a container,connected to a trailer, with the load; sealing the container such thatneither the load, tracking device or bill of lading can be accessedwithout breaking the seal; monitoring the container while the load is intransit; breaking the sealed container upon the arrival at a place ofload delivery; removing the load from the container; and returning thetracking device and the bill of lading to a depository.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a tracking devicefor a trailer containing a load is provided that includes a supportmember, a connector, and a main body/housing enclosing a GPS trackerconfigured to track the location of the load. The connector is connectedto the support member, the support member is connected to the main bodyand the GPS tracker is located within the main body. The connectorsecurely attaches to a container on the trailer and attaches to a sealsuch that the container cannot be opened without breaking the seal. Thesupport member stabilizes the housing and protects the tracking deviceduring transit of the load.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic overview of a freight tracking system, accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a tracking device, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows images of potential components of the tracking device shownin FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a bolt seal.

FIG. 5 shows a top, front, right, and isometric view of a housing of atracking device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 shows a side view picture of a tracking device without a securedseal, accordingly to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a side view picture of the tracking device shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a side view picture of the tracking device shown in FIG. 6with the seal being secured.

FIG. 9 is a controlled access screen of the tracking system, accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a dashboard screen of the tracking system, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a dashboard screen of the tracking system, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a search screen with textual reporting of the trackingsystem, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an administration screen of the tracking system, according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides methods, apparatuses, and systems fortracking of freight, including methods, apparatuses, and systems fortracking sealed trucks and containers by GPS via wireless communication.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a truckpulls up to a warehouse. Personnel greet the driver and load a trailerwith appropriate freight and provide a bill of lading to the driver.Closing the trailer and/or container loading door(s) the personnel lockthe load with a tracking device such that the tracking device is securedto the door(s) and a seal. The tracking device cannot be removed, or thedoor(s) opened, without breaking the seal. With the trailer loaded,secured and ready to depart, personnel approach a local terminalnotifying a tracking system that the load is ready to depart or hasdeparted. The tracking system processes the notification and initiatesfreight load tracking. The tracking system gathers information duringtransit of the load and processes the information for use byadministrators. The administrators may monitor the load, update arrivaltimes, connection times, and customers as to the status of the load.Once the load arrives at its destination, personnel break the seal,unload the trailer or container, and update the tracking systemaccordingly. The destination warehouse then forwards the tracking deviceto an appropriate location.

In various embodiments, the tracking system includes a container/trailerand tracking device configured to securely and universally integratewith existing load seals. The tracking device houses electroniccircuitry and microcontrollers (mainboard, accelerometer, GPS tracker,GSM communication, power supply, satellite communication, optionaladditional sensors—e.g. temperature, vibration, and seal) and interfaceswith a tracking system that may be web based. The tracking deviceelectronic circuit board/s collect/transmit acceleration and GPS data tothe web application via GSM and/or satellite communication. The trackingdevice and/or tracking system provide an administrator with trackingdata which may be utilized for various purposes, includingadministration, reporting, and searching. This data may be automaticallyor manually entered into an existing company Transportation ManagementSystem.

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a tracking system (10) including warehouses(140, 170), a bill of lading (190), a container (135), bolt seal (401)and a tracking device (160). In various embodiments of the presentinvention the system may include greater or fewer components. At a firstwarehouse facility (140) a bill of lading (190) is given to driver (145)and load (150) is loaded into a trailer (135) (or a container located onthe trailer) by warehouse personnel (155). The trailer/container andtracking device (160) are placed together and then a seal is used tosecure the load. In one embodiment the trailer/container includes doorsthat are latched together with overlapping flanges that include acentral hole. Tracking device (160) includes a connector that attachesto the overlapping flanges of the doors and includes an aperture thataligns with the central hole of the doors. The seal may be a bolt sealthat passes through the hole in the door flanges and the aperture intracking device (160). An end piece is then placed on the seal such thatthe doors, tracking device and seal are secured together. The doorscannot be opened and the tracking device (160) cannot be removed and/ortampered with without breaking the seal. Warehouse personnel (155) maythen input into a tracking system that the load is ready to leave localterminal (125) and activate tracking. The trailer (135) departs thefirst warehouse and while in transit via GSM (115) and/or satellite(110) continuously informs the tracking system computer (125) of thetrailer/containers (135) position. Once the trailer (135) arrives at asecond warehouse facility (170), warehouse personnel (180) unload theload (150). After unloading, personnel update a terminal (175)deactivating tracking system tracking by the tracking system computer(125).

The system of the present disclosure may include a first (140), second(170), or further plurality of warehouse facilities. Furthermore, thewarehouse facilities are not limited to enclosed truck freight logisticcenters but may include docks, ships, or other facilities whereefficient routing of cargo/freight is advantageous.

The bill of lading (190) of the present disclosure can take physical ordigital forms documenting the cargo while giving title to a specifiedparty (e.g. delivery warehouse operator). The bill of lading can bestored at various warehouse facilities and/or digitally within thetracking device itself.

The trailer/container of the present disclosure can vary based ondifferent embodiments. In some instances a container is attached to atrailer and pulled by a tractor. In other instances the container ispart of the trailer and is pulled by a tractor. In other instances thetractor, trailer and container are one unit. In other instances thecontainer may be a shipping container, smaller container or the likethat may be loaded on ships or other forms of transport such as cargoplanes and helicopters.

In various embodiments of the system the tracking device (160) can takemany forms. FIG. 2 shows a schematic of a tracking device (160)according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Asdepicted, the tracking device (160) includes accelerometer (205), GPStracker (210), GSM communications (215), satellite communications (225),power supply (230) and temperature (235), vibration (240), and sealbreakage (245) sensors operably connected to a mainboard, and locatedwithin a housing (250). In various embodiments the tracking device (160)may include greater or fewer components and may be configured to weighless than ten pounds.

The accelerometer (205) can provide local acceleration information tothe system. The accelerometer (205) can indicate whether the velocity ofthe tracking device (160) is increasing or decreasing. For example, in ahigh wind environment, the device (160) may sway causing damage to thecomponents and/or container cargo. The accelerometer (205) may log andmonitor these local stresses. The accelerometer (205) can be, aspictured in FIG. 3, a LIS344AL (305). A LIS344AL (305) is a low-powerthree axis linear accelerometer that includes a sensing element andanalog IC interface.

For monitoring the tracking device (160) position, a GPS tracker (210)can be included in an embodiment of the present invention. The GPStracker (210) can be connected to a variety of systems including but notlimited to the Global Positioning System (“GPS’), the Global NavigationSatellite System (“GLONASS”), and/or the BeiDou Navigation SatelliteSystem. The GPS tracker (210) has the ability to receive informationconcerning the latitudinal and longitudinal position of the trackingdevice (160). The GPS tracker may also be configured to translatereceived latitudinal and longitudinal information into velocity andacceleration. The GPS tracker (210) can comprise a Ultimate GPS Module(310) as pictured in FIG. 3 and built around the MTK3339 chipset.

In embodiments of the present invention the tracking device can begrouped into two versions, a version with satellite communication (225)and a version without satellite communication. A device withoutsatellite communication can communicate with the system via GSM mobilephone networks, but cannot communicate in areas where a GSM mobile phonenetwork is not available. The GSM communications (215) can be forinstance a Quectel Quad-band GSM/GPRS M10 Microcontroller (315) aspictured in FIG. 3. On the other hand a tracking device with satellitecommunication (225) can use GSM mobile phone networks (primary mode ofcommunication) and the Iridium satellite phone network (secondary modeof communication). This allows continuous feedback to the trackingsystem on transit legs with little to no coverage such as vessel ortrain. Satellite communications (225) can be a variety of differentcomponents such as for instance an Iridium 9602 Satellite Modem (320) asseen in FIG. 3. The Iridium 9602 SBD transceiver (320) provides globaltracking via the Iridium satellite network.

The accelerometer (205), GPS tracker (210), GSM communications (215),and satellite communications (225) may be operably connected to amainboard (220). The mainboard (220) can allow processing of informationfrom the GPS tracker (210) concerning the location of the trackingdevice (160) and forwarding to the tracking system of said informationthrough the appropriate communications link, e.g. GSM (215) or satellite(220). The mainboard (220) can detect the presence or absence of a GSMsignal and thereby can control whether the tracking device forwardslocation information (e.g. from the GPS tracker (210)) to the system viaGSM (215) or satellite communication (225). In various instances themainboard (220) may encrypt or otherwise protect the trackinginformation transmitted to prevent interference thereto. The mainboard(220) may be associated with an identifying ID that allows the system toidentify the tracking device. In various instances, the mainboard (220)may be partially integrated with each of the various components of thetracking device (160) or may comprise a separate component. In variousembodiments the mainboard (220) may take many forms, for example, anArduino UNO Rev3 (325) as shown in FIG. 3.

Power for the mainboard (220), accelerometer (205), GPS tracker (210),GSM communications (215) and satellite communications (225) and/or othercomponents of the tracking device can flow directly from the powersupply (230) to the individual components or via the mainboard (220). Invarious instances the power supply (230) may be configured to send tothe tracking system via the mainboard (220) and communicationsindications of remaining power. In various instances power will becontinuous or it may be regulated by a switch or other mechanism. Thepower supply (230) can take on a variety of different forms, such as abattery, depending on the design of the tracking device (160). In anembodiment the power supply (230) is a Lithium Ion Polymer Battery—3.7v1200 mAh (330) as shown in FIG. 3. In an additional embodiment the powersupply (230) includes a battery as well as a solar panel to recharge thebattery during daylight hours. As seen in FIG. 3 the solar panel may bea Flexible 6V 1W Solar Panel (335) with the connection to the batteryfacilitated by, for example, USB/DC/Solar Lithium Ion/Polymer charger—v2(340).

Depending on application needs, the tracking device (160) may furtherinclude additional sensors such as temperature (235), vibration (240)and seal breakage (245), all optionally connected to the mainboard(220), communications, and/or power supply (230). A temperature sensor(235) may be configured to measure the temperature outside the device(160) or inside the device (160). Vibration information can be used bythe device and/or tracking system to determine cargo movement andintegrity. The seal breakage sensor (245) can be connected to the boltseal or other type of seal. In various instances the seal sensor can bea conductance based sensor such as a reed switch. A reed switch can beattached to both ends of bolt locking mechanism. When the bolt lockingmechanism is locked, the circuit of the reed switch is closed and whenunlocked the circuit can be opened.

The housing (250) of the tracking device (160) may be specially tailoredto a unique transit application. In some instances, the tracking devicemay be configured to lock within existing plastic, metal, cable, orpadlock seals. Alternatively, the housing (250) may be designed to lockwithin existing bolt seals.

The tracking system may include plastic, metal, cable, or padlock seals.These seals may be configured to pass through the aperture of thetracking device as well as the central hole of the container dooroverlapping flanges. These seals may include numbering unique to theload and/or customer and be configured to blush if tampered with. Insome instances these seal may include a ball locking mechanism that isdifficult/impossible to reseal once broken. Examples of such sealsinclude S-13677, H-541, and H-1346 from Uline™.

Further embodiments of the tracking system may include a bolt seal. Boltseals can come in a variety of forms. A commercially available bolt seal(401) can be seen in FIG. 4. Depending upon the shipping company adifferent bolt seal (401) may be used. The bolt seal may includenumbering unique to the load and/or customer and be configured to blushif tampered with. Bolt seals can comprise a bolt (405) with a head (415)and a locking mechanism (410). The bolt seal (401) may lock thecontainer (135) and the bill of lading (190) therein preventing accessthereto without breaking of the bolt seal (401).

As seen in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8, the housing may include a connector, asupport member and a main body. In various embodiments, the trackingdevice housing may be formed from plastic (e.g. PVC), metal, or othersuitable materials.

The tracking device housing may include a connector that is adjustablefor receiving different types of seals. The connector may be designed toattach to the seal (401) via an aperture so that the tracking device(160) cannot be removed from the seal (401) without breaking the seal.The aperture can be large enough for this purpose (401) yet small enoughto derive stability for the positioning of the tracking device (160)from the seal (e.g. to limit swaying and other movement of the trackingdevice (160) that may damage device integrity). In various embodimentsthe connector (510) and connector aperture (515) can be dimensioned tofit on a bolt seal bolt (405) between the head (415) and the lockingmechanism (410). In various examples a seal sensor may be tied to theaperture and extend to the connector exterior. The connector (510) mayhave a width of 1 inch and a thickness of 0.13 inches while the aperture(515) of the connector (510) may be 0.38 inches.

The connector may be conjoined with a support member. The support membercan link the connector to the housing main body. The length and geometryof the support member may vary, for example appearing arm-like andextending from a main body as seen in FIG. 5. In various embodiments thetightness of the seal connector connection and the support member'srigidity may act to limit device movement in transit. For example, asseen in FIG. 5, the support member can be linked to a connectorsandwiched within the bolt seal with the integrity of the bolt sealconnection and rigidity of the support member acting to substantiallylimit swaying and thereby protecting the tracking device integrity. Theconnector (505) in some instances may have a thickness of 0.13 inchesand a total height of 4.5 inches including 0.5 inches of overlap withthe main body (501).

The housing main body may house the mainboard and other importantcircuitry of the tracking device. The main body housing may take avariety of forms depending on the included circuitry and intendedapplication. In instances the height of the housing (250) may be 6.5inches, the main body (501) consisting of 2.5 inches and the connector(505) consisting of 4 inches. The main body (501) may have a width of 1inch and a length of 3 inches.

The tracking device may be placed on a container and continuouslyinteract with a tracking system. The tracking system receivesinformation from the tracking device such as latitude, longitude,acceleration, and battery life and makes said information usable to anadministrator. The tracking system may include a computer (125) runningsoftware operatively connected to the tracking device (160), a userinterface (185) and optionally, warehouse terminals.

The computer (125) of the tracking system may encompass any suitableprocessing device connected to the tracking device. The computer may bephysical or web based (e.g. Amazon Web Services). Indeed the computer(125) may be adapted to execute any operating system including Linux™,UNIX™, Windows™, or any other suitable operating system. In someembodiments the computer (125) is a commercially available server, e.g.an IBM System x M5 Tower servers. The computer (125) may be implementedby a processor running software connected to memory and storage.Processor executes instructions, thereby communicating data from atracking device, displaying information related to the tracking, and/ormanipulating data. Although described as a single processor, multipleprocessors may be used according to particular needs. References toprocessor are meant to include multiple processors where applicable.Memory and storage may include any memory or database module and maytake the form of volatile or non-volatile memory including, withoutlimitation, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), removable media, or any other suitable local orremote memory component. The connection of the tracking system computerto the tracking device and/or terminals may be via the internet,internet subnetworks, such as a VPN, or via proprietary network. Thisconnection can be hardwired to the processor or computer system, forexample via cat 5 into a network card, or it can be wireless, forexample GSM, satellite, or WiFi.

The terminals of the tracking system may comprise an additional desktopcomputer, iPad, or other network device that is capable of interactingwith the tracking system computer. The terminals can be used to activatetracking by the tracking device by warehouse personnel. In otherembodiments the tracking system may continuously track the trackingdevice.

The software of the tracking system runs on the tracking system computer(125) and can include a web application. In various implementations thesoftware may have controlled access, such as a login screen restrictingadministrator access as seen in FIG. 9. The software can be displayed ona user interface (185). A user interface (185) may be a monitorconnected to the computer, or it may be a more remote interactingplatform such as an iPad or android tablet device.

In various instances the software may include a dashboard that displaysmaps as seen in FIGS. 10 and 11. A map displayed can be limited tovarious criterion such as customer or load type, or the map can displaythe location of all customer shipments. In various instances thesoftware may allow multiple and/or individual maps to be displayed andcertain maps to be minimized, maximized and/or rearranged. In thesoftware the shipments can be represented on the map(s) as truck icons.The truck icons in various instances may be colored green, red, yellowor other colors to indicate shipment status (e.g., green=on schedule,yellow=behind schedule, red=late). The tracking system may establishshipment status based on estimated time of arrival (“ETA”) at thedestination. On land, the ETA can be derived from current shipmentlocation, the roads (and corresponding speed limits) that must betraversed to reach the destination, and the traffic conditions on saidroads. At sea, ETA can be derived from current shipment location,distance to shipment destination, and the speed of the shipment. Thesoftware may include an interactive function for the truck icons.Clicking a truck icon may result in the display of a pop-up box, whichdisplays shipment details. The map in various embodiments may be viewedin road view or satellite view. Also, the administrator can overlaytraffic data on map by click the “Show Traffic” button.

The tracking system software may further include a search function withtextual reporting as seen in FIG. 12. Shipment status may be searchedfor by criterion including, for example, destination address, bill oflading, product, carrier, or customer. The search results may displayboth active and historical loads. The historical data may allow a userto analyze shipment trends by carrier, customer, or product.

The tracking system software may include an administration screen asseen in FIG. 13 that provides the functionality to create/delete/editproducts, create/delete/edit shipments, assign a tracking device to ashipment, create alerts, or create geofence.

In various embodiments the tracking system may be integrated into atransportation management system, located on the same computer oroperably connected thereto. The transportation management system maytake parameters from tracking system and use them to manage otherelements related thereto. For instance when generating a cost estimatefor a customer the transportation management system can screen recentand ongoing trajectories along the route used to base travel time, fueluse, and cost. When planning a route for delivery of freight, thetransportation system can use the detailed information from the trackingsystem to see what intersections to avoid further optimizing overalldelivery and pick up. The transportation system can also use informationrelated to the evolving position of a load to appropriately schedule adrop off time for the load or schedule a check-in at a remote check-infacility as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/506,545,filed Oct. 3, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. Embodiments of the present invention as described herein canbe integrated with various embodiments described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/506,545.

While the embodiments are described with reference to variousimplementations and exploitations, it will be understood that theseembodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the inventions is notlimited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions, andimprovements are possible. Further still, any steps described herein maybe carried out in any desired order, and any desired steps may be addedor deleted. Support for the present invention, including exampleembodiments of the present invention, may be found in the attacheddocuments and figures, all of which are expressly incorporated herein intheir entirety by reference hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a removable tracking device; a seal; and a container, wherein the tracking device is at least one of integrated with and securely attached to at least one of the seal and the container such that the container cannot be accessed without breaking the seal.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a bill lading, the bill of lading not accessible without breaking the seal.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the seal includes a bolt and a locking member.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device includes a rigid member with a connection at one end of the tracking device that connects the tracking device to at least one of the seal and the container.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the connection is an aperture.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the rigid member is an elongated member, a first end of the elongated member attached to a housing and the second end of elongated member attached to at least one of the seal and the container such that the container cannot be accessed without breaking the seal.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device includes a sensor that detects if the seal has been broken and sends out a signal alert if the seal has been broken.
 8. The system of 6, wherein the elongated member and the connection are connect to securely attach the tracking device to the container and the seal and to minimize movement and absorb loading while the container is being transported by a land vehicle.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device includes a universal connection adaptable for connection to multiple different types of seals and containers.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device weights less than 10 pounds.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device includes an accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration of the container, a GPS tracker configured to track the location of the container, a GSM communication configured to forward the acceleration and location of the container to a distant computer, and a power supply.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device includes a sensor that monitors breakage of the seal, the sensor connected to the device GSM communication.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device includes a satellite communication apparatus configured to forward the acceleration and location of the container to a distant computer if GSM communication is not possible.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the tracking device includes temperature and vibration sensors.
 15. A system for broker trucking, comprising: at least one container including a load; a removable tracking device configured to continuously transmit a location of the container, the container being sealed with a seal to prevent access to the load and the tracking device without breaking the seal; a computer configured to continuously receive the location of the container from the respective removable tracking device and store the location; a user interface configured to display the transmitted location of the at least one container as received by the computer to an administrator.
 16. The system for broker trucking according to claim 15, further comprising a terminal at a warehouse wherein a warehouse personnel forward to the computer that the container has been loaded and is ready to transmit the location of the container.
 17. The system for broker trucking according to claim 15, wherein the administrator is located at the user interface and configured to use the location information of the container to update arrival information.
 18. The system for broker trucking according to claim 15, wherein the location of the container is transmitted over GSM and the internet to the computer configured to receive the transmitted location.
 19. The system for broker trucking according to claim 15, wherein the location of the container is transmitted over satellite and the internet to the computer configured to receive the transmitted location.
 20. The system for broker trucking according to claim 15, wherein the computer is interconnected with a Transportation Management System.
 21. A method of broker trucking, comprising the steps of: obtaining a tracking device and a bill of lading for a load; loading a container, connected to a trailer, with the load; sealing the container such that neither the load, tracking device or bill of lading can be accessed without breaking the seal; monitoring the container while the load is in transit; breaking the sealed container upon the arrival at a place of load delivery; removing the load from the container; and returning the tracking device and the bill of lading to a depository.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the steps of: inputting into a computer system that the container has been sealed and is ready to depart; and inputting into a computer system that the container has arrived, wherein the inputted sealing activates the tracking device and the inputted arrival deactivates the tracking device.
 23. A tracking device for a trailer containing a load, comprising: a support member, a connector, and a main body, the main body enclosing a GPS tracker configured to track the location of the load, the connector connected to the support member, the support member connected to the main body and the GPS tracker located within the main body, wherein the connector is configured to securely attach to a container on the trailer and attach to a seal such that the container cannot be opened without breaking the seal, the support member configured to stabilize the main body and protect the tracking device during transit of the load.
 24. The tracking device of claim 23, further comprising an accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration of the container, a GSM communication device configured to forward the acceleration and location of the container to a distant computer, and a power supply.
 25. The tracking device of claim 24, further comprising a sensor that monitors breakage of the seal, the sensor connected to the GSM communication device.
 26. The tracking device of claim 24, further comprising satellite communication device configured to forward the acceleration and location of the container to a distant computer if GSM communication is not possible. 